Rising Stars in Banking 2016

WeAreTheCity are proud to announce the winners of their Top 100 Rising Star awards. The Rising Star awards were introduced to showcase the UK pipeline of female talent below management and to create female 100 role models across 20 different industries and professions. The awards also included a new category in 2016 which celebrates the efforts of senior individuals who champion gender equality both within and outside of their organisations.

The awards were entered by 850 individuals were judged by a panel of 21 independent judges. Over 28,000 public votes were received for the 200 shortlisted nominees from across 110 countries. The awards were kindly sponsored by Barclays and supported by AON, Bloomberg, Cancer Research UK (Women of Influence), The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Executive and Personal Assistants Association, EY, Keir, Lloyd’s, ISS, Morgan Stanley, Newton Investment Management, Oliver Wyman in partnership with UN Women National Committee UK, PA Consulting, PedalSure, PwC, Reed Smith, Societe Generale, Twenty Recruitment, Virgin Media Business and Worldpay.

Vanessa Vallely, MD of WeAreTheCity said “It has been a total honour to run this years awards and highlight the achievements of so many amazing women, the calibre of entries was truly phenomenal. WeAreTheCity is very much about supporting the female pipeline and introducing these awards was a perfect opportunity to showcase the amazing talent of women across the UK. We are exceptionally proud of our winners and look forward to following their future success. We wouldn’t have been able to launch these awards without the support of so many organisations who took no convincing to support these women and recognise their achievements. Both myself, my team, our sponsors, judges and supporters are very much looking forward to celebrating with all of our winners at Barclays on 30 June”.

Once again, we would like to congratulate all our winners and extend a sincere thanks to everyone who supported Rising Stars during 2016.

Rachel Webster

Barclays

In 1985 I left school with limited qualifications and choose at the time a slightly different career path – against all odds in the mid 80’s I was accepted on a welding apprenticeship.

After 4 years as a ‘welder’ I felt I needed a new challenge and decided to join the army. I never thought when I walked through the Army Careers Office in 1989 that I would complete 24 years service and not only that but work my way up through the ranks from Private soldier to a commissioned officer, leaving as a Captain. I spent over 11 years deployed on operations; serving in NI, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

In 2013 it was time to hang up the combat boots and become a civilian – I started working in Barclays, initially supporting the military programme and more recently as a Business Manager.

I am single, no children but own a wonderful westie called Hamish – who is now in retirement and lives with my parents in Brigg, North Lincolnshire.

Khalia Newell

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Khalia recently became the Global Middle Office Risk and Control at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Before this, she was an AVP of Risk and Control at Barclays. Her unique journey into the world of Banking, outstanding contribution in Financial Services and extracurricular work in diversity and inclusion has earned her The Black British Business Rising Star Award in 2015.

When she isn’t mentoring the next generation of female talent, she spends time reading novels or watching TV programmes such as Scandal (where she tries hard to pretend she does not share the same mannerisms as Olivia Pope).

She is currently writing a book on problem solving and strategy in the workplace.

Luma Zitani

Barclays

Born and raised in Syria, Luma obtained her BA in Economics from Damascus University and worked as an Economist for two years while teaching Principals of Banking at the Commercial Polytechnic in Damascus.

In 2003, Luma won the UK’s FCO Chevening Scholarship to complete her master’s degree in the UK at Cass Business School.

Luma joined BACB, a London-based bank in 2004 where she rotated between the Front Office relationship team, Trade Finance operational area and the Risk Management team.

In 2012, Luma left BACB to join Barclays Plc where she continues to work today. She provides Subject Matter Expertise within Barclays’ Financial Crime function.

Luma is Member at the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, has CISI’s Diploma in Investment Compliance and an ICA Diploma in AML with distinction.

She’s married and lives in Kent with avid interest in current affairs, foreign policy and photography.

Ebi Obode

RBS

Recognised as a Young Achiever by the Financial News Extra Mile 40; Ebi has built a reputation for her creativity, resourcefulness and commitment to effecting positive change.

Her current role involves the development, design and embedding of front office controls within the Corporate and Institutional Banking division. Ebi is also a chair of the Young Bankers Association within RBS and served on the Committee of the Focused Women’s Network to attract, retain and develop female talent.

She supports the RBS Early Careers team in their recruitment initiatives; getting involved in schemes such as National Careers Week and mentoring new joiners to the Business. Outside of work, she volunteers with charities such as Cancer Research UK and mentors University & School students.

She also hosts monthly networking events to encourage entrepreneurship, personal and professional development.

Lauren Garey

J.P. Morgan

Lauren Garey is a Private Banker at J.P. Morgan who focuses on advising female clients, predominantly entrepreneurs, executives and other women of influence. Lauren previously worked in Barclays’ US, UK and Asia Private Banks across Boston, London and Singapore. Lauren was recently awarded a coveted spot on Citywealth’s inaugural Future Leaders List.

Lauren started her career in microfinance with Fundacion Mujer in Costa Rica to provide female entrepreneurs with seed funding, authoring a report measuring the economic impact of microfinance in India, and ultimately creating a micro-fund to support small-scale businesses in Ghana.

Lauren graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Global Business Management from Babson College and holds RDR Level 4 qualifications. Lauren is a Trustee of Ubunye Challenge, member of the Ellevate Women’s Network, mentor for Angel Academe and the Social Mobility Foundation, board member of the Groton Women’s Network, and a passionate volunteer for microfinance initiatives.

Sponsored by

A Word from our Sponsors

Gary Kidd

The service industry is very much a people business where success is achieved through collaboration; the creation of a diverse set of innovative ideas at all levels will allow ISS to continue to lead in the competitive facility services sector. We are proud to be sponsoring WearetheCity Rising Stars Awards.

Gary Kidd, Chief Operating Officer, ISS Facility Services

James Warren

Organisations like WeAreTheCity raising the profile of the female talent pipeline, and the subject of diversity in general, are making significant strides forward in breaking down some of the pre-historic barriers that unfortunately in places still exist; and in doing so are mirroring a message that we believe to be incredibly important about the celebration of talent and ability regardless of its form. We therefore are hugely proud to continue to partner with WATC again for the Rising Star Awards in 2016.

James Warren, Managing Director, Twenty Recruitment Group

Pauline Miller

Lloyd’s is delighted to sponsor the Insurance category for the WeAreTheCity Awards. Recognising emerging female talent is critical to building a pipeline of top performers for our sector. Insurance needs a more diverse talent pool. Encouraging women to step forward and progress their careers is essential and Lloyd’s is delighted to be part of such a great initiative

Pauline Miller, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Lloyd's

Helena Morrissey

Newton Investment Management is excited to again sponsor the Rising Star Investment Management Award and support WeAreTheCity. We know why gender equality and broader diversity should be an integral part of business strategy. We need to sustain our diversity commitment at all job levels within companies, developing both future and current talented leaders and celebrating their successes.

Helena Morrissey, CEO, Newton Investment Management Ltd.

Tamara Box

We are delighted to once again celebrate the Lynne Freeman Rising Stars in Law, those talented and dedicated young women who are destined for leadership positions in our industry. Just as their role models have inspired them, they too will inspire more rising stars through their enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment to being the best of the best.

Tamara Box, Global Chair - Financial Industry Group, Reed Smith

Erika Irish Brown

We are delighted to join WeAreTheCity in celebrating top emerging female talent for a second year. At Bloomberg, we know that fostering a diverse and inclusive culture isn’t just “the right thing to do², it¹s critical to attracting and retaining top talent ­ and the wide range of ideas and perspectives – that we need to grow as a company. This year, we are proud to support the Media & Journalism award category, recognising the achievements and contributions of female media professionals on the rise.

Erika Irish Brown, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Bloomberg

Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder

Supporting the growth of female entrepreneurs not only drives diversity within UK businesses but it also creates an environment for future entrepreneurial heroines to flourish and succeed, empowering future generations to succeed in business. I’m extremely proud that Virgin Media Business are sponsoring a fantastic category which will inspire our future leaders.

Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder

Alison Baker

Attitudes continue to evolve and, for this generation of ambitious young women, they not only expect to work but to build successful, senior level careers in whatever sector they choose. Within the oil and gas sector, and the energy industry more broadly, tackling gender diversity and building and retaining a strong pipeline of talent can deliver a multitude of benefits. Initiatives such as our Igniting Change campaign with POWERful Women and WeAreTheCity’s Rising Stars awards recognise the fantastic achievements made by women at differing stages of their careers.

Alison Baker, Head of UK Oil & Gas, PwC

Mark McLane

We are delighted to be the lead sponsor of the Rising Star Awards which recognises the achievements of talented women on their way to the top; the contributions they make to their organisations and society in general.

Mark McLane, Managing Director, Head of Global Diversity and Inclusion at Barclays PLC

David Bryant

Socitm Advisory are delighted to be undertaking sponsorship of WeAreTheCity’s Rising Star Award for the Public Sector! We are passionate about celebrating talent at all levels, and the ability to publicly recognise and celebrate our female colleagues within the public sector – who often do not receive this sort of opportunity compared to staff of large private sector corporations – is hugely exciting!

Socitm Advisory prides itself on identifying and nurturing the best talent and incorporating this into our advisory services for local authorities. To have the opportunity to highlight deserving individuals is one of the best ways for our colleagues to praise and retain valuable staff members below management level.Why not find out more about our recently relaunched Advisory service and brand new website?

David Bryant, Socitm Commerical Director

Nicky Morgan

These awards are an incredible celebration of the great achievements women are making in business. We have more women on FTSE boards than ever before, the lowest gender pay gap on record and we’ve been rated the best place in Europe for women to start a business. I am proud of how we’ve come but we must now build on that momentum so we achieve true gender equality.

Nicky Morgan, Minister for Women, Equalities Office

Steve Newton

Worldpay is delighted to sponsor the Sales award for WeAreTheCity. We are competing in a fast moving and rapidly developing industry, where to be able to successfully differentiate we need to continually invest in our technology and our people. Our success has been founded on a team with a diverse mix of backgrounds, talents and expertise. We are committed to developing and investing in the accomplished female talent we have in our global sales organisation and across the business – and are pleased to be working WeAreThe City to support this across the industry.

Steve Newton, SVP Relationship Management, Worldpay

Celia Larkin

Developing a diverse and creative work force in an ever changing business landscape is essential. We are delighted to be supporting the banking category with the aim of promoting the industry to female talent, whilst also raising awareness of the wider diversity programme in financial services and beyond.

Philip Lochner

We are extremely pleased to support WeAreTheCity’s Rising Star Sports Award. Billy Jean King once said, “When they take surveys of Women in business, of the fortune 500, the successful women, 80% of them, say they were in sports as a young woman”. Today sport and exercise is at the heart of all of our personal goals of self-improvement as we strive to become our very best performing selves. In the cycling world this quest for excellence is best epitomised in our high expectations of Team GB’s Laura Trott and Emily Nelson

Philip Lochner, CEO, Pedalsure

Frances Milner

There are so many talented women in the charity sector, at every stage in their career, but it¹s not often that we get the chance to particularly acknowledge and reward those below management level. That is why Cancer Research UK¹s Women of Influence campaign is delighted to be supporting the ³Rising Stars in Charity² category ­ our female role models of today are sponsoring the female role models of the future.

Gerard Hester

We believe a diverse workforce is a more productive one ­ it provides a real competitive advantage when individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives, approaches and capabilities come together to achieve a shared goal. We strive for a creative and innovative working environment, to achieve this we must have a diverse and inclusive workforce. Now in our fourth year of partnership with WeAreTheCity, we proudly sponsor this award and hope that the winning individuals continue to inspire a new generation of female technologists.

Gerard Hester, MD, Global Technology, Morgan Stanley

Tracey Bowen-Lowe

EY is delighted to sponsor the Rising Stars in Consulting category for WeAreTheCity’s Top 100 Rising Star Awards again in 2016. Building and supporting a strong pipeline of female talent is a key focus for us and we believe showcasing best practice and highlighting role models across our industry is a critical element. These efforts align to our goal of creating a better working world, where the best and brightest talent from all backgrounds are provided with the right opportunities to help them reach their full potential.

Tracey Bowen-Lowe, Partner, EY

Catherine Brien

Inclusion and diversity are at the heart of our firm¹s core values, making us stronger and better able to help our clients, the industries in which we work, and the communities we live in. Our own ³Inspiring Leaders² programme matches our most senior leaders with high potential minority groups to sponsor, develop, and champion them. We are delighted to be sponsoring the Rising Star Champions category.

Catherine Brien, Partner, Oliver Wyman

Nick Newman

PA Consulting Group has a long and proud connection with women in defence; our very first assignment over 70 years ago was to help women factory workers increase productivity in support of the war effort. We are delighted to sponsor the Defence category for the WeAreTheCity Top 50 Rising Star Awards. The UK’s defence community is determined to improve its diversity, so recognising and celebrating women’s talent makes a great contribution to achieving that goal.

Nick Newman, member of PA's Management Group, PA Consulting Group

Katherine Conway

Aon is very proud to be sponsoring the Diversity category in the WeAreTheCity’s Top 50 Rising Stars Awards. We work diligently to create an inclusive culture to attract, develop and retain diverse talent and it is essential to our role as a global organisation that we respect the diversity of human expression. Aon prides itself on fostering a work environment where opportunity and success are defined by one’s character and ambition not race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, or citizenship.

Katherine Conway, Head of Diversity & Inclusion and Community Affairs, Aon Services Group

Victoria Darragh

On behalf of EPAA, we are absolutely delighted and honoured to be involved as a sponsor for the The Rising Star Awards 2016! For a profession that historically isn¹t even considered a profession by many, this signifies a step closer to our aim of being considered an integral part of a business/organisation and worthy of standing amongst the fellow female pipeline.

Arnold Longboy

Since its founding, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business has always believed in empowering rising talent through knowledge and education. Here at our London campus we are excited to sponsor the 2016 Rising Stars in Education and Academia category. We look forward to recognizing the accomplishments of the nominees and how they will shape the future for women in this sector.

Arnold Longboy, Managing Director Executive Education, EMEA & APAX, University of Chicago Booth School of Business

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